Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake

Are you looking for some easy, delicious holiday desserts that are sure to please everyone? Look no further than this tantalizing Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake. It is THE BEST Christmas Coffee Cake I have had! My entire family raves over it. This particular cake comes out light and fluffy, just the way we all like it.

 

Coffee cake is a staple dessert or snack at any time of the year. This one is so good you’re going to be tempted to serve it with your morning coffee and your afternoon tea, too. Prepping and cooking is a piece of cake (pun intended) and, besides, you just can’t beat a warm slice of this buttery, cinnamony taste.

The BEST Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake

This Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake is beyond delicious. It turns out to be a nice soft cake loaded with candied fruits, dried nuts, and spices that will totally delight your palate. It’s sure to become a holiday favorite around many family tables for years to come.

Do I have to let the yeast bloom?

You don’t technically have to let the yeast bloom, but in my experience, it’s much better to take the time. If for some reason it is old or doesn’t bloom, it can wreck the recipe and leave your guests questioning your skills. It’s much better to know for sure and ultimately saves you a lot of time and mess.

Can I use a milk alternative?

In general, yes you can use one of the popular milk alternatives. If you have dairy sensitivities or are lactose intolerant, try using homemade or store-bought substitutes like almond milk, rice milk, oat milk, or hemp milk. Coconut milk can also be used, but because it has a thicker consistency, it might not be the best alternative. 

What if I can’t have eggs? Is there a substitute for egg yolks?

You may be surprised that there are several viable substitutes for egg yolks when baking. You can use a tablespoon of pureed tofu for each egg yolk. Pureed avocado also makes a good substitute. Another good substitute involves mixing wheat flour, chickpea flour, water, and oil together. Blend the mixture until it’s a suitable consistency.

 

 

What type of nuts should I use?

This recipe is versatile and you can use almost any type of chopped nuts you want. I prefer almonds and walnuts. But don’t be afraid to try hazelnuts, pecans, or even macadamia nuts. You can use any combination to make the required cup of chopped nuts. These all make for interesting flavor blends.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make the Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake

Makes one 9-inch cake.

Ingredients for the dough

• 3 ½ cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 packet of active dry yeast
• ¼ cup of lukewarm water
• ¼ cup of white granulated sugar
• ¼ cup of butter
• ¾ cup of scalding hot milk
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

For the Filling:

• One 9-ounce can of crushed pineapples
• ¼ cup of white granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 cup of chopped nuts (I prefer walnuts and almonds)
• 1 cup of candied mixed fruit
• ½ cup of golden raisins

For the Glaze:

• 2 cups of sifted confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Directions for Making the Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake

These directions are in three steps and include making the cake, the filling, and the glaze. 

To make the dough:

Dissolve the yeast in warm water and let it bloom for five minutes.

Add the sugar and butter to the scalding hot milk. Mix it well until the butter and sugar are completely dissolved.

Add 1 ½ cups of the flour, egg yolks, and vanilla extract. Mix until it forms a sticky dough.

Add the bloomed yeast and the rest of the flour.

Knead the dough until it forms a smooth dough.

Cover and let it proof for an hour in a warm, dry place. Just let it sit long enough to double in size.

While the dough is proofing – prepare the filling.

Preparing the FIlling

Place the crushed pineapple, sugar, and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Mix until the cornstarch is dissolved into the crushed pineapple juices.

 

Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes thickened. This should only take two or three minutes. 

Allow the mixture to cool slightly.

Then, stir in the golden raisins, chopped nuts, and candied mixed fruits.

Set it aside until it is completely cooled.

Assembling the Cake

Once the dough has doubled in size, knead it lightly for a couple of minutes.

Then, roll it out into a rough rectangle shape at about 15×18 inches.

Evenly spread the prepared fruit filling on the dough leaving about a half-inch border around the edges.

Roll it up into a log. Put it in the fridge and let it chill for 15 to 30 minutes. Chilling will help you when it’s time to slice the dough.

Once it is good and chill, slice the log into 1-inch slices.

Arrange the slices cup-side up in a 9-inch silicone Bundt pan.

Let the dough proof for another hour. Then, place it in the air fryer basket.

Air fry at 300-degrees (F) for 30 minutes.

Let it cool slightly before unmolding it from the pan.

Make sure it is totally cooled off before glazing. 

To Make the Glaze

Mix the confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until it forms a thick glaze.

Drizzle it on top of the cooled Christmas coffee cake.

Serve immediately.

One of the things I love the most about this Air Fryer Christmas Coffee Cake is that it was passed down in recipes from my grandmother. I just adapted it for the air fryer. My Mamaw has been in heaven for a long time but using the recipes she had in her stash makes her memory stay alive. I get to tell my kids stories of how much she loved me while fixing favorites. So from our house to yours this holiday season, we hope you love this too. 

Don’t forget to print out the recipe for later!